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CDw60 glycolipid antigens of human leukocytes: structural characterization and cellular distribution
B Kniep1, W A Flegel, H Northoff
1Arbeitsgruppe Immunbiologie, GBF-Gesellschaft für Biotechnologische Forschung, Braunschweig, Germany.
Insights
Monoclonal antibodies targeting CDw60 identify specific glycolipid antigens on human leukocytes. This research details the molecular structures of these antigens, primarily 9-O-acetyl GD3, found on granulocytes and T lymphocytes.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Glycobiology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Monoclonal CDw60 antibodies target glycolipid antigens on human leukocytes.
- These antibodies can define T lymphocyte subpopulations and induce costimulatory signals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the molecular composition of CDw60 glycolipid antigens from human leukocyte subpopulations.
- To identify the specific structures of these glycolipid antigens.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of glycolipids from human leukocyte subpopulations.
- Identification of glycolipid structures using immunochemical methods.
Main Results:
- CDw60 determinants were found in the disialoganglioside fraction.
- Identified O-acetylated derivatives of GD3, DSPG, and DSnHC gangliosides.
- 9-O-acetyl GD3 was the most common CDw60 antigen in human leukocytes, abundant in granulocytes and T lymphocytes.
- Polar CDw60 antigens (9-O-acetyl DSPG, 9-O-acetyl DSnHC) were exclusively detected in granulocytes.
Conclusions:
- The study elucidates the molecular identity of CDw60 glycolipid antigens.
- Differential expression of these antigens across leukocyte types provides insights into cell-specific functions.
Abstract:
Monoclonal CDw60 antibodies recognize glycolipid antigens with restricted surface expression on human leukocytes. They allow us to define new functional subpopulations of T lymphocytes and are able to induce costimulatory signals. In this report, we describe the molecular composition of CDw60 glycolipid antigens derived from different human leukocyte subpopulations. The glycolipids were isolated and their structures were identified by immunochemical methods. All molecules containing the CDw60 determinant were found in the disialoganglioside fraction. They were O-acetylated derivatives of the gangliosides II3 (Neu5Ac)2-LacCer (GD3), IV3 (Neu5Ac)2-nLc4Cer (DSPG), and VI3 (Neu5Ac)2-nLc6Cer (DSnHC), respectively. The most common CDw60 glycolipid antigen in human leukocytes was 9-O-acetyl GD3. In a comparison of various cell types, the highest concentration of 9-O-acetyl GD3 on a per cell basis was determined in granulocytes and in blood T lymphocytes, whereas B lymphocytes, thymus cells, and monocytes contained considerably smaller amounts of this molecule. Polar CDw60 antigens such as 9-O-acetyl DSPG and 9-O-acetyl DSnHC were only detected in granulocytes.
